Shrubs & Trees

Butterbush | Pittosporum angustifolium

Butterbush

Pittosporum angustifolium

Butterbush

Pittosporum angustifolium

Butterbush

Pittosporum angustifolium

Description.

Weeping tree growing occasionally to 10 metres. Leaves are long and narrow, ending in a slight hooked point. Flowers are cream or yellow in colour and occur singly or in clusters. They are followed by woody, orange, round or apricot-shaped fruits, which split open at maturity to reveal bright red seeds. These fruits mature over several months and often remain on the plant for long periods. Seeds are irregular in size and shape.

Propagation.

Seed germinates without pre-treatment but is unreliable and may take several weeks.

Flowering.

Typically during winter and spring.

Locations.

Occurs in stands along roadsides to the west of Wagga Wagga, e.g. The Gap Rd and surrounds. Occurs on and around the Charles Sturt University campus. The seed is transmitted by birds, and so seedlings are often found in groups under trees.

Wiradjuri Name:Dhingarang

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Utility.

The branches and trunk of dhingarang where the wood is light colored is considered very strong. There are records available to show that the species was used to create handles for small hand tools, including stone axes and there are also records of the wood being used to create shields.

Food Uses*.

There is competing evidence on what parts of dhingarang might be edible so absolute caution is suggested. All studies suggest that the fruit is inedible for humans, but much enjoyed by birds. Some community record that the seeds were eaten after drying and removal of fruit pulp had occurred, and were ground in to a powder and added to other ground seed to create a mixed-meal.

* The critical factor in using plants for food is to avoid accidental poisoning. Eat only those plants you can positively identify and you know are safe to eat. All food details on this website are not based on toxicology reports or scientific knowledge, we make no claim to advice on bush survival in these information bites, only to represent the common perception.

Medicinal Uses.

Dried and ground seeds are considered to have aphrodisiac properties by some Wiradjuri communities. Its medicinal qualities are also linked to spiritual understandings in some communities. Other records indicate some wiradjuri communities would make a tea from bark, twigs and leaves, that required boiling, and could be taken orally to remedy minor internal pain and cramping. The boiling process is stressed as necessary in all literature accessed.

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